Military junta troops advancing into the Dawei Special Economic Zone in Yebyu Township, Tanintharyi Region, captured and killed three young volunteers who had been supporting interim education and displacement relief efforts in the area.
The three killed were identified as team leader Ko El Thra, member Ko Myat Thu, and finance officer Ko Li Yun of The Ants Humanitarian Aid Team, according to MAGGA Initiative (MI), a Tanintharyi-based civil society organization.
The three came into direct contact with junta troops advancing into the Dawei Special Economic Zone on July 9, while they were assisting displaced people in Yebyu Township. They were captured and killed during that encounter.
MAGGA Initiative said it was able to confirm, based on field reports and photo documentation received on July 20, that all three team members had been killed.
The group said Ko Alsara, Ko Myat Thu, and Ko Li Yun were promising young leaders who had been actively involved in interim education, displacement response, and community emergency relief work in the Dawei area.
Junta forces, numbering nearly 1,000 troops, began advancing into the Dawei Special Economic Zone project area from multiple directions starting July 9.
Local organizations said junta troops arrested residents in the area during their advance and used them as human shields.
